Walking into Lost Eras in Rogers Park might feel like stepping onto a film set, and in many ways, it is.
The Lincoln Park Zoo is offering a new way to explore the vibrant life within its grounds with the launch of a video podcast titled "That Tracks."
At the Shedd Aquarium, visitors can encounter the lake sturgeon, a species that predates even the dinosaurs featured in the new film "Jurassic World Rebirth."
Darvin Furniture & Mattress is rallying the Chicagoland community to combat a critical blood shortage by hosting a blood drive on Sunday, August 17, 2025. The event will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Darvin's Orland Park showroom, located at 15400 La Grange Road. In partners…
Two Amur leopard cubs have been born at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago, marking a vital addition to the population of this critically endangered species.
La’Velle explains, “850 North was built in 1927, and was originally the Lake Shore Athletic Club.
Tucked away on 2,000 square feet of otherwise unused airport property, O’Hare’s apiary brings an unexpected buzz to a place once known for its quiet orchards.
The Bornean orangutans at Brookfield Zoo in Chicago are embracing their new home at the recently opened James & Elizabeth Bramsen Tropical Forests.
Chicago lost a baseball icon when Hall of Famer Ryne “Ryno” Sandberg passed away at age 65 after a battle with metastatic prostate cancer, diagnosed in January 2024.
Brookfield Zoo Chicago recently marked a special milestone as reticulated giraffe Jasiri reached her 20th birthday, an impressive age that showcases the exceptional care provided at the facility.
Honorary street signs are not a uniquely Chicago tradition, but Chicago stands apart for its well-organized system that turns hundreds of brown signs into a citywide tribute to local history and unsung heroes
Chicago gets more than just a peek behind the kitchen door, it gets the whole story. On Monday, Aug. 4, Chef Curtis Duffy, one of the rare few to earn two and three Michelin stars in his career, is stepping into the spotlight in a different way. He’s traded his chef’s whites for a microphone…
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In a historic medical achievement, Chicago's Shedd Aquarium successfully performed a unique surgery on Kimalu, a 12-year-old female beluga whale. According to a press release, Kimalu underwent the first-of-its-kind procedure to remove cysts near her blowhole, becoming the only known beluga t…
Joe Hernandez, 535 N. Michigan, Doorperson of the Month
‘Candid’ Candace Jordan makes ‘history’! In my wildest dreams, I would’ve never thought I would land in a museum exhibit. Can you imagine a small-town girl, just seeking more excitement, would find herself in the Chicago History Museum?
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This year, the world’s oldest (and most fabulous!) working supermodel, Carmen Dell’Orefice, turned 94 years young. She has been the gold standard as my favorite model for as long as I can remember and is listed in “The Guinness Book of World Records” (as the world's oldest working model).
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On the afternoon of June 22, sunlight filtered through the grand lobby of the Lyric Opera House as the sold-out crowd found their seats for the final bow of The Joffrey Ballet’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The performance was dedicated to longtime champion of the arts and the Joffrey, …
Shedd Aquarium marks a milestone with the birth of weedy seadragon fry. Learn how these unique creatures are cared for and why their conservation matters.
Samuel Adams’ philanthropic program, Brewing the American Dream, has selected Chicago brewery Moor’s Brewing Co. as the 2025 recipient of its prestigious Brewing & Business Experienceship.
Doorperson of the Month of June 2025, Gonzalo Deluna
According to a CBS News interview with Wendt’s family, George passed away in his sleep on Tuesday morning at his home. Though private about his health, Wendt had a history of cardiovascular issues. In 2012, he underwent coronary bypass surgery following chest pains. More recently, in Novembe…
Spring has arrived at Shedd Aquarium, and with it comes the annual nesting season for the aquarium’s lively penguin colony. Visitors over the next several weeks have a rare opportunity to witness the natural courtship and nest-building behaviors of Shedd’s rockhopper and Magellanic penguins,…
The Shedd Aquarium announced in a press release that one of its male weedy sea dragons is now pregnant with around 70 fertile eggs, a rare occurrence that happened after a successful egg transfer. The aquarium has only seen this type of transfer one other time in its history.
A new book reveals the untold story of Chicago’s Wrigley Building, spotlighting its century of culture, architecture, and innovation.
Maurice Johnson of 465 North Park, Chicago, is Doorperson of the Month.
Get ready, Chicagoland! Darvin Furniture & Mattress is stepping into the spotlight during Home Improvement Week on WGN's "Daytime Chicago." Tune in on Monday, April 21, during the 9:00 a.m. hour on WGN-TV Channel 9, as Will Harris, President of Darvin Furniture & Mattress, joins hos…
The luck of the Irish was in full swing this St. Patrick’s Day at Darvin Furniture & Mattress! On March 17, an eager crowd gathered in the Orland Park showroom, eyes fixed on a swirling glass cylinder filled with hundreds of hopeful entries in the O’Darvin St. Patrick’s Day promotion.
This is such an honor to be the doorperson of the month,” Ashley Scott says as she gives an adorable dog named Phineus a treat from her station at the concierge desk.
Recently, friends, family and fans gathered to celebrate renowned architect Lucien Lagrange at the dedication of his most recent project, the RIU Plaza Chicago Hotel at 150 E. Ontario Street. This 28-story neo-classical structure is located in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood. The projec…
Will Harris, President of Darvin Furniture & Mattress, was honored as the Corporate Partner of the Year at the Crisis Center for South Suburbia’s annual Sweet Home Chicago Gala, held at the Odyssey Country Club Feb. 22. The event, which drew a full-capacity crowd, highlighted the signifi…
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The team at Chicago Star Media has grown immensely since its beginnings during the pandemic, so we wanted to introduce our readers to our core writers. Let’s meet the team!
I’m so grateful to be the Doorperson of the Month,” Melina Decker says with obvious pride. She serves as supervisor of the concierge desk at Axis Apartments & Lofts, with a solid customer service background at Walt Disney World.
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The founder of news and marketing company Chicago Star Media is heading to the stars. Elaine Hyde is a dual citizen of the United States and Australia. She is set to make history as the first Australian woman and Singaporean-born person to journey to space. Elaine will be a part of a six-per…
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Shedd Aquarium has shared new updates on its first beluga calf in over four years. Born in July, the six-month-old whale has been thriving under the care of the aquarium’s animal care team and veterinarians. Now, he is eating solid fish, exploring new spaces, and forming relationships with h…
Mardi Gras falls on March 4 this year, making it the perfect excuse to shake off the winter blues with a festive feast. And who better to guide us than Mariano’s Tastemaker Chef Brian Jupiter? A New Orleans native and the chef/co-owner of Ina Mae Tavern, Jupiter brings the flavors of his hom…
Virginia McCaskey, the beloved matriarch of the Chicago Bears, has died at 102. Her life was marked by quiet, steadfast leadership of one of the NFL’s older franchises, a role she embraced with grace and humility.
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The South Loop was buzzing with excitement as former Chicago Bears star Israel Idonije and acclaimed Chef Stephen Gillanders officially opened The Staley with a lively Block Party Jan. 27. The highly anticipated restaurant, located at the corner of Wabash and 14th, drew an enthusiastic crowd…
February’s Doorperson of the Month is Takyla Backstrom of 230 E. Ontario St.
just in time for the New Year when wellness resolutions are at an all-time high, Michigan Avenue welcomed a transformative addition to its iconic scene with the grand opening of Thrive Wellness and Aesthetics.
Chicago Chefs Cook is a nonprofit that unites the Chicagoland chef community to raise money for humanitarian causes, both local and global. In the past, Chicago Chefs Cook have come out in force to support victims of Hurricane Helene, migrant relief efforts, farmers fighting floods in the Em…
The best wintertime fishing holes in Chicago are about eight inches wide. Cut by hand into the Lake Michigan ice, they offer robust leisure, healthy sport and tasty filets to a community of dedicated anglers who count DuSable Harbor among the finest spots around. “You can come down here and …
In the heart of Chicago’s South Side, Pastor John Harrell stands as a beacon of hope and transformation. As the Co-Founder and President of Black Men United (BMU), he has dedicated his life to uplifting men and boys, creating a network of support that has impacted countless lives. His journe…
Ismael Salcedo has been with The Aston Chicago for 11 years. The residents at The Ashton call him “Ish.”
Winter in Chicago is a beast all its own. The biting wind, the icy streets, and the bone-chilling temperatures make it nearly impossible to focus on anything other than survival.
In the serene lobby of the CityView Condominiums, December Doorperson of the Month Maureen Chacon-Batts is given fresh fruit from a resident. Another tenant drops off holiday cookies for her, and she is literally serenaded by a resident singing to her “Have a good afternoon.”
Looking for last minute gift ideas? Look no further than Mariano’s and their new Holiday Helper Elfie! She was born to be a power shopper and has EVERYONE on your list covered, from the foodie to the flicks lover, even something for your favorite pooch! Enjoy the offerings and have a very me…
Chicago celebrity hair designer, Anthony Cristiano, shares fab tips for the party season
For the 21st year Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas is celebrating ethnic holiday traditions of nearly 100 different nationalities at the “Christmas Trees from Around the World” display at her office. The annual celebration of cultural diversity showcases handcrafted ornaments and decoratio…
Jeff Mauro, the charismatic and talented chef who rose to fame as host of Food Network’s “Sandwich King,” has seamlessly blended his love for food and family with his entrepreneurial spirit. Mauro was classically trained at the Kitchen Academy of Los Angeles and is known for his signature pa…
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It’s an awe-inspiring moment when you get to meet a Navy Seal who also happens to be a NASA astronaut! Meet Captain Chris Cassidy, who as a Navy SEAL, became a member of an elite special operations force in the United States Navy known for its rigorous training and ability to carry out chall…
KTGY, a Great Places to Work certified architecture and design firm, is making significant strides in expanding its high-rise expertise by appointing Sam Luckino as principal in its Chicago office.
